Hammel gave up five hits including an RBI single to Melky Cabrera in the first inning. But four of his seven outs came via strikeouts, and he said he felt things went “fairly well,” and he was especially pleased with the life on his two-seam fastball.

“I was up in the zone, gave up a few hits today on counts that I was ahead in the count and ended up getting back in. That was disappointing,” Hammel said. “Other than that, all pitches are pretty close to where they need to be. The two-seamer I am really proud of right now. That’s ahead of pace for me, I think.”

More than anything, Hammel said his surgically right knee is a non-issue.